The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023

Q&a 082323 3

County pushes forward on HB parking garage

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Manatee County’s plans for a controversial parking garage in Holmes Beach are pushing forward.

County commissioners reached consensus 6-1 at their Aug. 14 work session for staff to move forward with design work for four parking garages, including a three-story structure to replace the current parking lot at Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

Commissioner George Kruse did not agree with the other commissioners.

The garage was proposed by County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge after he came into office in 2020 and began criticizing the city’s park-by-permit system.

City officials argue the park-by-permit system protects residential quality of life.

County offi cials argue that it restricts island parking for off-island county residents and visitors.

Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, sided with the county and filed House Bill 947 to allow it to build a 36-foot-tall parking structure on county-owned property within the city — such as Manatee Public Beach — without obtaining a permit from the city.

The bill passed unscathed through the state legislature, and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law June 23.

County construction services manager Tom Yarger presented early plans for a $30-$35 million parking garage at Manatee Public Beach to the county board.

The plans, which Yarger said were conceptual and intended to create a “gateway”

Motorists search for a parking space Aug. 18 in the parking lot at Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Plans for a three-story parking garage at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach that is opposed by city officials but was allowed due to the passage of a state bill. Islander Courtesy Graphic

to the beach, include a three-story structure with 900 parking spaces — far fewer than the 1,500-1,700 initially proposed for the garage.

The current parking lot has 406 parking spaces.

Plans for the garage also include a public access drive-through on the ground floor between the beach and garage, with a dropoff area along the beachside — where the

existing retail, restaurant and restrooms are located.

The drive-through runs between the intersection of Gulf Drive and Manatee Avenue and at the S-curve north of the beach on Gulf Drive. The design includes a roundabout at the north end.

The drop-off area connects to terraced platforms, which lead down to a vertical cir-

Wildfire burns 30 acres at egmont Key

By Lisa Neff Islander Editor

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service temporarily closed access Aug. 13 to Egmont Key, where a wildfire burned 30-35 acres. Egmont Key, at the mouth of Tampa Bay and visible from the north end of AMI, is a 270-acre island that’s home to a national wildlife refuge.

The wildfire began about 3 p.m. Aug. 13 on the north end of Egmont, according to a news release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Multiple agencies at the federal, state and local levels responded to the fire call, as well as to evacuate six people from the island and clear boats from the area.

Responders included:

• FWS;

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission;

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection;

• Pinellas County;

• Manatee County;

• Hillsborough County,

• Tierre Verde Fire District;

• St. Petersburg Fire Rescue;

• Eckerd College Search and Rescue;

• U.S. Coast Guard;

• Great Lakes Dredging.

Two of the first responders were crews

A crew from the U.S. Coast Guard 29195 out of St. Petersburg is among the first to arrive Aug. 13 and assess a wildfire on Egmont Key. Islander

tesy U.S. Coast Guard via Facebook

An aerial photograph shows Egmont Key after an Aug. 13 wildfire on the island. Islander Photo: Courtesy HCSC via Twitter

Photo: Cour-

culation area leveling down to the beach.

Plans also include a retail area on the second floor of the structure.

Yarger said the additional parking at the beach would not replace roadside parking spaces lost to the city’s park-by-permit system.

The county received 203 written public comments about the proposed structure.

Out of those comments, 201 were in opposition to the parking garage, citing concerns about ruining the island’s “Old Florida charm,” harming the local environment, increasing traffic on the congested island and more.

One comment was neutral, asking county commissioners to complete and consider an environmental study before moving forward.

The only written comment in support of the parking garage stated they wouldn’t support it if the city reversed its parking changes, which would eliminate the need for a garage.

Kruse questioned that need. He said he toured the area with city officials and learned that the municipality has worked with local churches and businesses to add hundreds of parking spaces since the park-bypermit system was implemented.

He said the only parking garage presented at the work session that he believed needed to be built was a 1,600-space structure to replace an existing garage just north of the corner of Manatee Avenue West and 10th Street West.

Kruse said the Holmes Beach garage was the least necessary of the proposed garages. He said he was not bothered by concerns about how a three-story structure would alter the character of the island but was concerned about other aspects of the project.

“The visual structure doesn’t bother me, it’s the cost and the narrative that this is going to somehow fix something,” Kruse said. “The reality is: adding 600 parking spots is pointless. … You’re never going to meet demand on the beach.”

“It’s not actually helping anything. … These 600

parking spots are not moving a needle on the days we need it,” he added.

The gallery broke out in a brief applause after Kruse finished.

However, the rest of the commission disagreed.

Commissioner James Satcher said the state Legislature and the county’s plans showed “excessive restraint” due to the lack of cooperation from city officials, who he accused of not wanting to find a solution.

“I absolutely disagree with what Commissioner Kruse said. I think we need to stop any excuses and step up to the plate. I think this should be No. 1 on our priority list,” Satcher said. “This is important to our citizens. People are clamoring to get to the beach.”

In addition to written comments, people spoke during public comment following the county board’s vote.

Speakers included Mayor Judy Titsworth, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, City Commissioners Greg Kerchner and Carol Soustek, city attorney Erica Augello and former Holmes Beach mayor and county commissioner Carol Whitmore.

“The city didn’t do this as some haphazard thing. … We didn’t do it because we hate people or we don’t want people. No, we did it because the city citizens asked us to help them,” Soustek said.

Augello said that while HB 947 allowed the county to build a parking garage without a permit from the city, such a structure would still be regulated under the municipality’s land development code and comprehensive plan.

Titsworth said only Kruse and Commissioner Jason Bearden accepted the city’s invitations for a tour of the city and its newly added parking spaces but everyone else was still welcome to a tour.

“Please, before you act, take me up on my offer. Come take the tour. See all the wonderful parking that we do have,” she said.

Following public comment, Satcher said “a couple of the issues … may have some validity. Six-hundred spots in one place is not ideal.”

Nevertheless, he continued to say the county couldn’t reverse the park-by-permit system, only a garage would make up for some of the lost parking.

“We didn’t start this,” he said. “We’re trying to give people a way to have access and do the best we can with what we own. We own this property, and we can build this structure. I think we should hurry.”

County commissioners will hold two land use meetings before holding their next regular meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

People can view a livestream of the meeting on YouTube.com.

WILDFIRE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

from Tierre Verde Fire District and the Coast Guard29195-St. Petersburg, which helped enforce safety zones around Egmont while FWS rangers were evacuating people and engaging the fire to try to stop its spread.

Meanwhile, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deployed a helicopter outfitted with a “Bambi Bucket” to knock down the flames.

“Our pilots and tactical flight deputies are trained to handle any scenario, whether that’s locating a lost child, tracking a criminal, or in this case, mitigating the damages of a wildfire,” Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement.

Rain also “helped immensely,” according to the FWS.

There were no injuries to people reported and there was no damage to structures or equipment.

However, the Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge was closed temporarily.

Fire crews remained on Egmont the week ending Aug. 20 to monitor the situation.

As of Islander press time, a cause of the wildlife was not announced.

The national wildlife refuge was established in 1974 to protect the natural, historical and cultural resources from development. The island boasts more than 30,000 nesting pairs of birds, as well habitat for nesting sea turtles and gopher tortoises.

Interpleader launched over assets in HB pedestrian crash case

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Michigan-based Auto-Owners Insurance Co. is trying to get ahead of the game — or lawsuit.

Attorney Robin Keener of Tampa-based Stoler Russell Keener Verona P.A. filed a complaint for interpleader on behalf of AOIC Aug. 10 to determine a resolution for up to $100,000 in damages from the insurance company following a fatal pedestrian crash in Holmes Beach.

Michael Ritchie, 43, struck two pedestrians May 12 with his 2018 GMC Sierra while they were using a crosswalk with an active signal on Gulf Drive between S&S Plaza and the defunct Wells Fargo building.

The pedestrians were taken to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton, where Deborah Trotter, 65, of Holmes Beach, was treated and released the same day. Her mother, Miriam Trotter, 86, of Maryland, suffered critical injuries and died May 17.

Ritchie was not arrested and had not been charged with any criminal offense as of Aug. 18 but he was issued a noncriminal traffic citation for failing to yield the right of way to the Trotters.

AOIC insures Bradenton-based Anna Maria Landscaping & Home Services LLC, owned by Ritchie, and the vehicle he was driving during the crash.

The policy includes a $100,000 single-liability limit.

Ritchie also is a full-time Bradenton Fire Department driver/engineer.

Ritchie and his landscaping company were named as defendants in the interpleader complaint, as well as Deborah Trotter as both a victim and a representative of her mother’s estate.

AOIC’s lawsuit states that the company received competing claims and made a global offer of its policy’s combined $100,000 single-liability limit to the claimants, but was not able to obtain a resolution.

“Auto-Owners is ready, able and willing to pay the applicable combined single-liability limits of the Auto-

Holmes Beach resident Deborah Trotter testifies Aug. 9 alongside HBPD Officer Alexander Hurt about her experience and injuries suffered May 12, when she was struck by motorist Michael Ritchie.

told The Islander that city administration was reviewing Ritchie’s employment following the crash and awaiting results of the infraction case before making a determination.

Perry did not respond to an Aug. 14 call from The Islander inquiring about the review following an Aug. 9 ruling from Judge Robert Farrance of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court.

Farrance withheld adjudication against Ritchie but ruled to find him guilty of failure to yield right of way to the Trotters.

The judge ordered Ritchie to pay a $166 traffic citation and $21 in subpoena costs, as well as complete a four-hour basic driver improvement course, within 60 days.

BFD Chief Tim Geer told The Islander Aug. 15 that Ritchie would continue to be monitored until the matter could go before the BFD’s safety committee, which meets quarterly.

Owners policy except that Auto-Owners is unsure as to which defendant(s) is/are entitled to payment,” the lawsuit states.

So the lawsuit calls for the court to determine the “rightful beneficiaries” of its $100,000 “and the amount of any entitlement owed” following the crash.

It also asks the court to dismiss AOIC from the case with prejudice after paying the $100,000 into a court registry and “discharge Auto-Owners from any further liability to the defendants arising out of the bodily injury, wrongful death, and/or property damage claims arising out of the accident.”

Furthermore, the lawsuit calls to “require the defendants to interplead and litigate and/or settle between themselves their respective rights under and to the proceeds of the combined single-liability limits of the Auto-Owners policy.”

Summons were sent Aug. 10 to the defendants.

No hearings had been scheduled as of Aug. 18. Bradenton city administrator Rob Perry previously

CRUISES

However, Geer said off-duty accidents and traffic infractions don’t often impact employment.

“I don’t see anything coming out of it,” he said.

Q&a 082323

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

By Lisa Neff

Do you remember the day — Aug. 16, 1977 — that Elvis Presley died?

59%. Of course.

17%. Sort of.

23%. No.

2%. Who?

This week’s question

Do you work on Labor Day?

A. Yes.

B. A little.

C. Not at all.

To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.

Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

WMFR adopts rates, moves forward with 2023-24 budget

The West Manatee Fire Rescue district is one hearing and a vote away from setting its spending plan for fiscal 2023-24.

In the meantime, the district cemented its plans to increase fire assessment rates for vacation rental properties to fund a new inspection program.

WMFR commissioners unanimously voted Aug. 15 to adopt new rates, including a 4% increase across the board and the assessment of vacation rentals as commercial, for the upcoming fiscal year.

Fiscal 2023-24 begins Oct. 1.

The changes weren’t made without some public opposition.

Fire marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski said the district had received public feedback from almost 100 people and “every one of those 99 inquiries have been reconciled to our customers’ satisfaction.”

However, Attorney Aaron Thomas of the Bradenton-based Najmy Thompson law firm spoke during public comment on behalf of “several vacation rental management companies” that he said owned around 500 rental properties on Anna Maria Island.

Thomas called for the commission to reject the changes. He said there was extensive case law arguing that assessing vacation rental properties under commercial rates was illegal.

“This matter is pretty cut and dry, and pretty clear in the law,” Thomas said. “Renting your property as a short-term rental does not transform it from a residential to a commercial use.”

“There is no basis for the commission to vote to approve this. It is in direct contradiction of the law,” he added.

The new rates will result in some significant changes for vacation rental property owners.

The district’s current rates include a $211.48 residential base rate and a $0.1247 additional charge

2023 elections

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Election season might be uneventful again this year for the city of Anna Maria.

As of Aug. 18, the fifth day of qualifying to be on the Nov. 7 election ballot for city commission, only two candidates had emerged for three seats and they’re both incumbents.

Crane

Commissioners Jonathan Crane and Charlie Salem began the steps to qualify for the election with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office by Aug. 18, the end of the first week of a two-week qualifying window that opened Aug. 14.

That window will close at noon Friday, Aug. 25.

To qualify to run for a commission seat, candidates must submit paperwork and fees to the SOE, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton. That includes:

• A candidate oath;

Meetings

for every square foot more than 1,000, as well as a $525.59 commercial base rate with a $0.2276 additional charge per square foot more than 1,000.

With the current rates, residential property owners pay $336.22 for a 2,000-square-foot home and $460.95 for a 3,000-square-foot home.

Commercial property owners pay $753.19 for a 2,000-square-foot building and $980.80 for a 3,000square foot building.

The district’s new rates for fi scal 2023-24 will include a $219.94 residential base rate and a $0.1297 additional charge for every square foot more than 1,000, and a $546.61 commercial base rate with a $0.2367 additional charge per square foot more than 1,000.

Under the new rates, residential property owners will pay $349.63 for a 2,000-square-foot home and $479.32 for a 3,000-square-foot home.

Commercial property owners will pay $783.32 for a 2,000-square-foot building and $1,020.02 for a 3,000-square-foot building.

Since vacation rental property owners currently pay residential assessment rates, the owner of a 2,000-square-foot rental unit will pay $447.10 more in fiscal 2023-24, when the same properties will be assessed under business rates.

WMFR’s legal counsel, attorney Maggie Mooney of the Lakewood Ranch-based Persson, Cohen, Mooney, Fernandez & Jackson law fi rm, proposed additional language she said would address Thomas’ concerns.

Thomas said the language helped clarify some issues but it didn’t change the underlying problem of assessing short-term rentals as commercial properties.

Kwiatkowski said a portion of the additional funds raised with the new rates would be used to fund

the district’s plans for a short-term rental inspection program.

He emphasized the need for the program since vacation rental properties have higher risks for drownings and structure fires.

Mooney said such properties had heightened standards for safety than residential structures due to their rental operations.

Commissioner Larry Jennis said he supported the changes because state law calls for fi re districts to inspect short-term rental properties, which required the district to expend extra cost and effort.

Commissioner David Bishop moved to adopt the proposed assessment rates with Mooney’s amended language. The motion was seconded and approved.

Proposed budget

Fire commissioners also held the first public hearing for a proposed $11,407,453.14 budget for fiscal 2023-24.

The biggest difference in the proposed budget over this year is due to the new assessment rates, which will raise the district $10,003,191.14, more than a $1 million more than it projects to finish this year with.

The funds will pay for the district’s vacation rental inspection program, led by two new inspectors and staff members, as well as six new firefighters.

The new positions are projected to lead to a $1,758,270.50 increase in the cost of personnel services over this year, due to an almost $1 million increase in salaries, as well as increases overtime costs and health care expenses.

The only other notable increase is a projected $724,275 increase in capital outlay costs over this year, from $147,500 this year to $871,775 in fi scal PLEASE, SEE WMFR BUDGET, NEXT PAGE

Qualification window opens for 3 AM commission seats

• A statement of candidacy;

• Financial disclosure forms;

• A qualifying fee or certification of petition signatures equal to 1% of the voters in the municipality’s last election.

Crane and Salem were the only people to submit qualifying forms to run for the available three seats as of Aug. 18.

Commissioner Robert Kingan, whose term expires in November, has announced he will not run.

Crane, who previously expressed uncertainty with running for reelection, was elected to the commission in 2019 and would serve his third term on the board if reelected.

Salem is the commission’s most recent addition. He was appointed by commissioners in January to fill a seat vacated by Carol Carter, who moved to Sarasota County after serving nine years on the board.

If Salem is elected in November, he will serve his first full two-year term on the commission.

If another candidate qualifies for the open position,

By Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org

ANNA MARIA CITY

Aug. 24, 5 p.m., commission.

Through Aug. 25, election qualifying.

Sept. 7, 5 p.m., commission.

Sept. 21, 5 p.m., commission.

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

BRADENTON BEACH

Aug. 28-Sept. 1, election qualifying.

Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m., CRA.

Sept. 6, 1 p.m., planning and zoning.

Sept. 7, 6 p.m., commission.

Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.

HOLMES BEACH

Aug. 23, 5 p.m., planning.

Aug. 28-Sept. 1, election qualifying.

Sept. 6, 5 p.m., planning.

Sept. 13, 9 a.m., clean water ad hoc committee. Sept. 14, 5 p.m., commission.

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.

WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

Sept. 12, 6 p.m., commission.

WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org.

MANATEE COUNTY

Sept. 7, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

ALSO OF INTEREST

Labor Day, a federal holiday, is Sept. 4. Most government offices will be closed.

joining Crane and Salem, all three will win new terms without contest.

It would be the sixth consecutive year for the city without competition to serve if no one, or only one more person qualifies.

If no one qualifies before the deadline, the city will fill the vacant seat and two-year term by commission appointment.

Residents must live in the city for at least two years before they can qualify for office in Anna Maria.

City commissioners receive a $4,800 annual salary.

The deadline to register to vote in this year’s election is Tuesday, Oct. 10, and voters can request voteby-mail ballots until 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26.

Qualifying for BB, HB

Qualifying for elected office in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach also takes place this month, This year’s nonpartisan elections include:

• Bradenton Beach: Mayor and two commission seats — Ward 1 and Ward 3, all two-year terms. The current mayor is John Chappie. Current commissioners are Jacob “Jake” Spooner in Ward 1 and Jan Vosburgh in Ward 3.

Qualifying will be noon Aug. 28-noon Sept. 1.

• Holmes Beach: Three commission seats, all twoyear terms. Pat Morton, Terry W. Schaefer and Carol Soustek currently hold the seats.

Also up for election: Five seats on a charter review board.

Qualifying will be noon Aug. 28-noon Sept. 1.

For more information, go to votemanatee.gov.

Other dates

Sept. 18: Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club 2023-24 kickoff at the Island Library in Holmes Beach.

Sept. 19: National Voter Registration Day.

Oct. 10: Voter registration deadline.

Nov. 7: Election Day.

Send announcements and listings to calendar@ islander.org.

Salem

Bradenton Beach CRA budgets dollars for redevelopment

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency worked Aug. 16 to budget for district projects and events in fiscal year 2023-24.

The budget year begins Oct. 1.

In Bradenton Beach, the local government adopts two budgets — one for citywide operations and one for the community redevelopment district bounded by the bay, the Gulf, Cortez Road and Fifth Street South.

The community redevelopment agency includes the mayor, commissioners and two citizens, who set the CRA budget, which in 2023-24 includes funding for underground utilities, parking lot improvements and a pocket park on the bayfront connecting to the pier.

City attorney Ricinda Perry told CRA members Aug. 16 the city was looking for $5 million for its next push to underground utilities.

Undergrounding is one of the most expensive projects in the proposed budget and the CRA members discussed funding sources for the next year.

Perry said she and Mayor John Chappie discussed funding with state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, regarding potential state grants, but the city won’t know until halfway through its fiscal year whether they’ve been secured.

Based on projections from Hau Tran, a program manager with Florida Power and Light, the total cost for the complete undergrounding of Bradenton Beach is approximately $4,725,777.

Perry cautioned CRA members that any money from the state could not be counted on until the grants were awarded.

She suggested putting roughly half the cost of recent individual undergrounding projects aside to be built upon in the next fiscal year should the city be unsuccessful in securing grant funding in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Commissioner Ralph Cole, who chairs the CRA,

WMFR BUDGET CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

2023-24.

That increase is largely due to the projected $650,000 cost to purchase a new fire engine for the district, as well as a $60,000 Ford F-150 for the shortterm rental inspector.

Overall, the district projects total revenues and expenditures to increase $2,685,465.50 over this year, from $8,721,987.64 this year to $11,407,453.14 in fiscal 2023-24.

There was no public comment on the proposed budget.

The WMFR commission will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the district’s administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at wmfr.org.

suggested allotting $300,000, which the CRA board unanimously approved.

The next phase of undergrounding will be in the northernmost sections of the city.

The CRA also approved $300,000 to improve public parking lots in the district, with an emphasis on the possible relocation of the Tingley Public Library, 111 Second St. N., to create more parking.

CRA members also agreed to budget $106,690 for a conceptual project connecting the pier boardwalk to dinghy docks adjacent to the Bridgetender Inn & Dockside Bar, 135 Bridge St. Improvements would include a pocket park with decking and tables with seating.

The CRA agreed to recommit $40,000 for the annual Christmas on Bridge Street Festival, which includes the lighting of a 40-foot tree, a boat parade and a block party.

“The CRA provides the funds available but it was the merchants that were able to unite and bring it forward and organize. They’ve been amazing in this. It’s their street as well,” Chappie said.

Meanwhile, the CRA board decided not to budget for a tram service in the district that carried people to and from parking at Coquina Beach.

The tram began operation in 2020.

“I think that tram is a waste of money, personally,” said Commissioner Jan Vosburgh. “I think we should do without it. I don’t see any benefit.”

“On that note, I say that it could be privatized,” Cole said. “Which is what I thought it should be to begin with and we could use that money towards the promenade when we get the opportunity.”

Chappie and Commission Jake Spooner supported reallocation of the tram funding.

“I think it could be more successful when we do have the promenade — when we do have the designated time and routes,” Spooner said.

Then Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby,

referring to various construction projects in the city, observed, “We have so much disruption with what’s coming in the next eight years”

CRA members also OK’d:

• Shoreline monitoring, $38,550;

• Fencing at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar at the cityowned Historic Bridge Street Pier, $25,000;

• Cultural arts, $10,000;

• Bay Drive South resiliency project, $75,000;

• Sidewalk improvements, $30,000;

• District improvements, $50,000;

• Signage $50,000;

• Pier improvements $10,000.

Chappie motioned to authorize the spending, including the buried utility funds, and was seconded by Spooner. The vote was unanimous. Marilyn Maro was absent with excuse. Ed Chiles attended by phone, but his call dropped and he did not vote.

The next CRA meeting will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. Public hearings for the CRA and municipal budgets will be in September. The first hearings will be at 5:05 p.m., Sept. 7 and the second hearings will be at 5:05 p.m. Sept. 14.

The CRA and its projects are funded with incremental tax revenue collected by Manatee County. The 2023-24 budget has an approved millage rate of 2.3329 making this year’s budget an increase in taxes. To keep taxes on par with last year, the city would have to enact a rollback rate of 2.0402.

About the CRA

The CRA funds capital improvement projects to promote restoration, growth and tourism for the district, which is bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico.

The CRA funds the projects with incremental tax revenue collected by Manatee County since 1992, when the area was declared blighted.

Photo: Robert Anderson

Trying to reason

Jimmy Buffett wrote the lyrics to “Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season” with a hangover in mind.

The tune was released in 1974, a year before I moved to Florida, and played frequently on the radio during my many visits to Key West. The lyrics that start with “Squalls out on the Gulf Stream,” caught my attention:

“Well, the wind is blowin’ harder now

Fifty knots or there abouts

There’s white caps on the ocean

And I’m watchin’ for water spouts …”

We deal with hurricane season each year but “trying to reason with hurricane season” is more than fighting back a hangover or a storm.

The lyrics came to mind over the years with many of life’s challenges — those times when you just can’t reason with how or why.

The lyrics come to mind now, as we weather the challenges posed by our own county commissioners.

The commissioners are still pushing for a parking garage at the Manatee Public Beach. They want more parking where more people, canopies, kids and gear will barely fit now on holidays and weekends.

Where’s the reasoning?

And where’s the reasoning in the board’s push to reduce wetland buffers in the county by relaxing the rules set in the county comprehensive plan.

The county’s planning commission and numerous environmental organizations registered opposition to the move. Comments at the county meeting and in writing to the commissioners did not sway them.

Losing wetland buffers, building closer to fragile land and building bigger in the county will test our ecosystem — especially in view of climate change and growing environmental challenges.

One comment caught my eye: “Less Wetlands. Thanks to our bought and paid for commissioners.”

Yes. You can review their donations at votemanatee. com.

The majority of the count commissioners are bowing to the whims of developers.

As many comments suggest, we need to remember this when we go to the polls.

We also can sign petitions and continue to speak out against the squalls as this board tries to wreak havoc on what treasures we have left in Manatee County.

Give your voice to Suncoast Waterkeeper’s “Save our Wetlands” campaign at suncoastwaterkeeper.org.

The fight is not over.

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

On wrong side of history

There has not been a day yet, even on holidays, that we have not had at least 100-300 available marked parking spaces 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in Holmes Beach Why do we need to spend $50 million on a parking garage that is not needed?

We do not have a parking problem; we have a traffic problem. People are not turning around and going home because of parking but they are turning around on the causeway after waiting on Manatee Avenue for 1-2 hours in traffic.

Skimming online

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Neither Manatee County nor the state have completed a capacity study to show the public beach can handle the additional 3,000-4,000 people the parking garage will bring.

I will tell you in my 10 years as police chief, my experience has found that people are not willing to travel with chairs, coolers, umbrellas and tents more than two blocks either direction from the public beach parking lot.

With the current spaces at the public beach, the five-block area people are willing to walk is wall-towall people, umbrellas and tents. We do not have the room for our public safety vehicles to get through the crowd.

This past week I had a discussion with your public safety deputy director Steve Litschauer and lifeguard chief Chet Brown about the need at our current capacity to install some type of barrier designating public safety travel paths through the crowds.

The parking garage appears to be a transportation hub intended for people to park and take the trolley to other areas of the beach. This will not happen, as people will not get on a trolley with all their kids, coolers, umbrellas and tents, leaving the convenience of access to their vehicle, bathrooms and lifeguards to

Letters to the editor We welcome opinion letters. Submit comments along with a name, city of residence and phone number for verification to news@islander.org.

go to another beach access.

I asked the Bradenton Police Department for calls for police service at the Bradenton garages. These are the documented total calls for service for three years:

• City Center Garage, 513 calls;

• Bradenton Financial Center, 644 calls;

• City Garage, 2,438 calls.

This means a parking garage at the beach will require additional police services at a substation cost to the county.

We have offered to give tours to show the available parking and what improvements the city has made to clearly mark available parking.

It has been said many times that Holmes Beach removed 1,200 parking spaces. To clear this up, in a recent presentation to the Manatee County Commission, your director of natural resources, who would be the expert in this area, stated that in 2013 Holmes Beach had 1,255 available spaces and in 2020 Holmes Beach had 775 available spaces — a reduction of 480 parking spaces.

Going to market

RIGHT: A Manatee County Area Transit bus in 1982 waits at a stop outside the IGA grocery store on Gulf Drive in Anna Maria. The store — now home to Ginny’s and Jane E’s Coastal Cafe and Gift Store — was owned then by Mayor Ernie Cagnina. BELOW: The IGA Foodliner grocery store, 9807 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, in 1982. The store opened in 1946. Islander Photos: Courtesy Manatee County Public Library System archives

Islander archive 24/7

The Islander was invited to take part in a pilot project with the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. We donated our collection beginning with the first edition in 1992. Look for the archives at ufdc.ufl.edu.

LETTERS FROM PAGE 6

He further stated that Holmes Beach meets the state and federal funding requirements for renourishment.

Truth is that we exceed the requirements. We also exceed the amount of parking agreed to in an interlocal agreement with the county.

looking back

10&20 years ago

From the Aug. 20, 2003, issue

• Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch director Suzi Fox said an environmental specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would be on the island to check on reports of illegal lighting that was affecting turtle hatchings.

• Owners of a duplex in Holmes Beach sued the city for granting variances to move a singlefamily residence from a Gulf Drive location to the Harrington House Bed & Breakfast, making way for a four-unit condominium on the vacated land. The lawsuit claimed improper notice of city meetings.

• The Manatee County school board agreed to study compromise proposals for the construction of a new Anna Maria Elementary building. Students’ parents were concerned about vehicle access.

From the Aug. 21, 2013,

issue

• The website SmarterTravel.com, in a travel feature, listed Cortez as one of its “most unforgettable Villages in North America.”

• Anna Maria commissioners unanimously agreed Aug. 15, 2013, that some form of paid parking must be established to control the number of day visitors driving into the city.

• Holmes Beach commissioners agreed at an Aug. 13 city meeting to move forward with the creation of a domestic partnership registry for city residents.

Approving this garage, will truly put you on the wrong side of history.

You will be ruining the character of the island, the experience that past guests have had and future guests expect.

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• The fi rst reading of an ordinance amending the Holmes Beach land development code to increase the ratio of parking spaces based on indoor seating capacity for future restaurants, bars and places of assembly passed.

— Lisa Neff

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer

Bradenton Beach commission reviews alley issues

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

It’s a jungle out there.

Bradenton Beach commissioners Aug. 17 reviewed surveys of city-owned alleys and discussed obstructions in the rights of way.

The focus was on alleyways between Avenues A and B, and between Avenue C and Gulf Drive.

Commissioners in April hired MSB Surveying Inc. of Sarasota to survey the two alleys and identify city property in relation to privately owned properties.

Public works director Tom Woodard and city building official Steve Gilbert addressed the commission Aug. 17 on issues the city might face as it reclaims the rights of way.

Woodard said parts of alleys are not large enough for vehicles to pass, some areas are blocked, including

by a private fence and a private shed, and some areas are overgrown with vegetation.

Gilbert said he is concerned with infrastructure in alleyways and how a lack of vehicle access might impact properties in the event of a utility outage.

“At some point, trucks will need to be in there to service transformers, wiring and poles,” he said.

He also said, “Those alleys are not necessarily 10 feet wide and they are not necessarily directly parallel with one another.”

Gilbert suggested adding signage warning motorists of the narrow alleyways.

Mayor John Chappie recommended the commission hold a workshop on alleys.

“There’s a lot of factors that enter into this that we need to discuss,” Chappie said. “We have undergrounding projects that we are going to be doing. I

Holmes Beach planners talk docks, fencing

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Holmes Beach Planning Commission review of its land development code continues to churn along.

Planning commissioners met Aug. 2 to discuss potential changes to the docks and walls/fences sections of the document.

The planning commission is seven-member advisory board to the city commission that reviews and makes recommendations on proposed ordinances and land development regulations.

Planning commissioners completed a review of the city’s comprehensive plan last year and began their review of the LDC in May with assistance from Fort Myers-based Morris-Depew Associates.

The city’s LDC provides regulations for zoning, development and land use. It was adopted in 2007 and last revised in 2014.

Morris-Depew planning director Ben Smith said

he’d modeled many proposed changes to dock regulations after Marco Island regulations.

One new standard would include a minimum access width of 4 feet.

Chair Gale Tedhams asked if the city should implement a limit on the length of a dock as well, so property owners couldn’t create 125-foot-long docks to reach the 500-square-foot maximum area allowed for docking facilities.

Chad Minor, the city’s planning and zoning administrator, said he would research the issue.

Other proposed changes include new definitions for several items, including mooring vessels and areas.

Smith said he’d continue working on the section. As for walls and fences, Smith proposed several changes, including:

• Requiring fence repairs maintain the scope, location and dimensions of the existing fence, as well as the same or comparable material;

• Adding permit requirements for erecting, moving,

don’t think it would behoove us to do anything right now until the undergrounding is done.”

“I would like to workshop this. We have complete streets with FDOT coming through. There’s a possibility for a multiuse trail for walking and biking and maybe golf carts,” he added.

Commissioners reached a consensus for the mayor to work with staff on scheduling a workshop.

As of Islander press time, no date had been set.

Bradenton Beach public works director Tom Woodard addresses city commissioners Aug. 17 about alleyways on the north side of the city. Islander

adding to or structurally altering a fence;

• Requiring property owners with fences to maintain them in “safe and presentable” condition.

The proposed changes also would add fence height standards to the LDC.

During public comment, resident Margie Motzer called for planning commissioners to reverse a previously discussed change to the LDC abolishing limits on swimming pool size.

Motzer asked planners to maintain the provision out of concern for oversized pools.

Tedhams said the planning commission would take Motzer’s input into consideration.

The planning commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. A livestream of the meeting can be viewed on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.

We have been a new and used GEM dealer for 20 years. We welcome our long-time friends and encourage new patrons from Anna Maria Island to shop here!

Photo: Robert Anderson

ScenicWAVES partners on park project

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The Bradenton Beach ScenicWAVES committee is adding a community redevelopment agency project to its workplan.

During an Aug. 16 meeting, Mayor John Chappie outlined a project to connect the Historic Bridge Street Pier and dinghy docks on the waterfront near the Bridgetender Inn & Dockside Bar, 135 Bridge St.

The project, under the purview of the city’s community redevelopment agency, would provide a pocket park in the downtown district.

ScenicWAVES chair Ingrid McClellan told Chappie the committee is developing its scenic highway workplan for consideration in November and the committee wanted to add the proposed park project.

ScenicWAVES is an advisory committee that represents the Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity, as well as works on beautification and waterfront issues.

The park project involves removing an old cistern and adding a boardwalk extension along the waterfront.

“We are trying to get permission from Swiftmud to remove the cistern so we can clean that whole area up,” Chappie said, referring to the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which manages and protects water resources.

The CRA board agreed Aug. 15 to allocate $106,690 for design and construction of the park.

“It would be a big area in there so, it could also be an event area of some type,” Chappie said.

Chappie said having a park could help provide space for the increase in visitor traffic expected with the launch of the Manatee County water taxi, which will dock at the finger docks at the city pier.

McClellan said ScenicWAVES could present a draft of its workplan at their next meeting, 1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The Bradenton Beach City Commission Aug. 17 approved a 5% business tax increase.

City attorney Ricinda Perry led commissioners through a final reading of an ordinance to raise the fees.

“Each year, the city has the ability to increase it by a historical percentage,” Perry said of the authority from the state to raise the rates.

A business tax receipt or occupational license is a tax on engaging in business within municipal limits.

The increased fees, dependent on the type of business, range from $35.19 to $281.

City treasurer Shayne Thompson said Aug. 18 that fees are due by Oct. 1 and submissions after that date would result in late charges. Late fees are typically 5% of the license fee and are charged each additional month up until March, when then the late fee becomes a flat $250 penalty.

There was no discussion or public comment at the Aug. 17 meeting.

Commissioner Jake Spooner motioned to adopt the ordinance. He was seconded by Commissioner Jan Vosburgh and the motion passed 4-0. Commissioner Marilyn Maro was absent with excuse.

The next commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Bradenton Beach ScenicWAVES members listen Aug. 16 as Mayor John Chappie outlines details of a proposed park and boardwalk near the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Island happenings

Compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ONGOING ON AMI

Throughout August, Artists’ Guild Gallery “Beautiful Gulf Coast Beaches” exhibit, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6694.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Last Saturdays through Aug. 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Downtown Bradenton Public Market, Old Main Street. Information: 941-3018445.

Through Sept. 2, Thursday-Saturday, Laser Light Nights musical shows, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-7464131.

Through Sept. 3, “Eco Engineers” exhibit, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience. org.

Through Sept. 4, “Reclaiming Home: Contemporary Seminole Art,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling. org.

Through Sept. 17, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ “John Pirman: Diving into Nature” exhibit, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-366-5731.

Through Oct. 15, “Lorna Bieber: Natural World,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

Through June 23, “Mountains of the Mind: Scholars’ Rocks from China and Beyond,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

“Caught in the Storm: 100 Years of Florida Hurricanes” exhibit, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.

First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com.

Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum. org, fmminfo@manateeclerk.com.

Black skimmers are depicted on a Gulf beach in work by Carolann Garafola, an Artists’ Guild Gallery artist. Throughout August, the gallery features a window exhibit of work on the theme of “our beautiful Gulf coast beaches.” The gallery is at 5414 Marina Drive. For more information, call the gallery at 941-7786694.

SAVE THE DATE

Sept. 14-24, Island Players’ “Farce of Nature,” Anna Maria.

Sept. 10, Anna Maria Island Centennial Celebration continued, Anna Maria.

Oct. 3-May 7, Anna Maria Farmers Market, Anna Maria.

Oct. 7, Florida Maritime Museum Cortez Nautical Flea Market, Cortez.

Nov. 4, Bash at the Bishop: A Celestial Affair, Bradenton.

Nov. 2-12, Island Players’ “Later Life,” Anna Maria.

Dec. 1-2, Bradenton Blues Festival, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY

ONGOING ON AMI

Select Thursdays — Aug. 24, Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 16, Dec. 14 — Shark Pups and Grownups preschool program, Mote Marine Science Education and Outreach Center on Anna Maria City Pier, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria. Information: mote.org.

ONGOING OFF AMI

First Wednesdays, “SOAR in 4” family night, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

Third Fridays, Teen Nights, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

Second Saturdays, Quest for kids, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 21, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest, Anna Maria.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI

Thursday, Aug. 24

1 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Saturday — Aug. 26 in the summer — 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club

of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-1383.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 512-944-4177, amirotary.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Sept. 9, Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament to benefit the Center of Anna Maria Island, Bradenton.

Sept. 12, Cortez Village Historical Society/Cortez Cultural Center coffee, Cortez.

Sept. 18, Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club kickoff meeting, Holmes Beach.

Nov. 3, FISH Preserve ribbon-cutting ceremony, Cortez.

SPORTS & GAMES

ONGOING ON AMI

AMI Dragon Boat Team-Paddlers from Paradise practices and meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, mrbradway@gmail.com.

Most Wednesdays, 1 p.m., mahjong club beginners, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.

Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6341.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through Sept. 3, Bradenton Marauders baseball, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-7473031.

SAVE THE DATE

Feb. 24, 2024, Pittsburgh Pirates spring training opens, Bradenton.

OUTDOORS & NATURE

ONGOING OFF AMI

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

OFF AMI

Saturday, Aug. 26

8:30 a.m. — Great Scallop Search, Sarasota Sailing Squadron on City Island, 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. 941-2322363.

GOOD TO KNOW

KEEP THE DATES

Aug. 26, Women’s Equality Day.

Sept. 4, Labor Day.

Sept. 10, Grandparents Day.

Sept. 11, Patriot Day.

Sept. 23, fall equinox.

Through Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. Lights out.

Oct. 31, Halloween.

Nov. 7, Election Day.

Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

Nov. 23, Thanksgiving.

Through Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Be prepared. Get listed! Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

Top Notch

Kris Castagna of Bradenton wins grand prize in The Islander’s 2023 Top Notch photo contest with a photograph of son Kyle taken Aug. 5 at a sandbar in Sarasota Bay. Castagna wins $100 from The Islander and a gift card, T-shirt and hat from Freckled Fin, a gift card and T-shirt from 88 Live Piano Bar, and gift certificates from Minnie’s Beach Cafe and Restless Natives.

Island happenings

Center court open hours set

The Center of Anna Maria Island offers open court and open gym hours.

Court hours are 1-8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 1-6 p.m. Wednesday; 1-7 p.m. Friday and 1-3 p.m. Friday.

Open gym hours are 1-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 6-7 p.m. Friday.

Also, Dink & Drink Adult Pickleball continues at the center on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

The center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, also offers pickleball lessons and hosts private tennis instruction.

For more information, including costs and fees, call the center at 941-778-1908 or email info@centerami.org.

Annie Silver hosts sale, lunch

The Annie Silver Community Center will host a potluck lunch and book sale Saturday, Aug. 26.

Everyone is welcome.

The activities will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the neighborhood center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach.

For more information, call Dianne Coates at 724787-1418.

Kiwanis club to meet

The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island will gather at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

The meeting will be the last on the club’s summer schedule.

Weekly meetings will resume Saturday, Sept. 9.

For more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens at 941-778-1383.

A Hair Day Salon & Spa

Odd Duck Designs Shop

Players offer shows to go

The Island Players in their 75th season will present their actors offstage in “Bringing the Theater to You.”

The community outreach program, the Off Stage Actors, is sponsored by the Off Stage Ladies, an Island Players support group.

The Off Stage Actors involves presenting script-readings tailored to a venue or event — at no cost to the host.

An announcement said, “Our wonderfully underutilized talent pool gets to do the thing they love most and you benefit by an afternoon or evening of free entertainment,”

For more information, email Off Stage Actors at osa@theislandplayers.org or go online to islandplayers.org.

Please, feed these Birds

Joe Bird, longtime islander and The Islander’s editorial cartoonist, and wife Crystal, visiting Anna Maria Island from New Orleans the week of Aug. 7, keep a family tradition — posing with a “Don’t Feed the Birds!” sign Aug. 11 at Star Fish Co. Market & Restaurant in Cortez. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy

Seasonal announcements

Get listed early and reach The Islander’s audience weekly.

Please, send notices for the 2023-24 seasonal calendar to Lisa Neff at calendar@islander.org.

Be sure to include a contact name, as well as a phone number for publication in the calendar and announcements.

Look to the Aug. 30 issue for the winner of the pet photo contest.

School’s in session at AME

By Brook Morrison Islander Reporter

Anna Maria Elementary staff and students entered the first weeks of the new school year with gusto.

“We had a great turnout for back-to-school night,” principal Mike Masiello wrote Aug. 15 in an email to The Islander.

He added that parents and students were excited to meet teachers and he confirmed 206 students are enrolled for the 2023-24 school year.

Also, AME is fully staffed.

“It’s wonderful to be back in session and see the kids’ smiling faces as they walk into the building each day,” Masiello said.

AME has a new voluntary prekindergarten class, with Erin Bobo teaching along with help from aide Krista Czajkowski.

“Our teachers are working hard this fi rst week reviewing skills and preparing students for the routines of an effective literacy classroom,” Masiello said.

The Guy Harvey Arts and Science curriculum and lessons will continue each quarter. The academy was launched at the Holmes Beach school in 2022-23 to teach students science and math through an art lens.

In the extracurricular department, a new backto-school family social took place Aug. 20 and the 2023-24 AME-PTO calendar is in full swing.

“We look forward to a school year full of teaching, learning and all of the wonderful events that make AME a great school,” Masiello said.

Happy learning, AME!

Parent-teacher organization embarks on sponsor program

The Anna Maria Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization kicked off the new school year with new sponsors.

AME unveiled the initiative during the summer, seeking to fund a year of programming, events and

school essentials with an all-in-one sponsorship drive.

This one-time ask for support will fuel the entire year’s events and other needs.

Three sponsorship tiers are available from $500$5,000-plus and are tax-deductible because the PTO is a nonprofit.

The 2023-24 AME-PTO president Jen Serra thanked summer donors.

As of Aug. 17, sponsors included: “Dolphin” $5,000-plus

• AMI Dolphin Tours;

• Chiles Hospitality Group;

• Fish Hole Miniature Golf;

• Sato Real Estate;

• Tom Sanger Pool and Spa.

“Starfish” or $2,500-$5,000 sponsors:

• Diamond Turf;

• Once Upon a Beach.

“Turtle” or $500-$2,500 sponsors:

• AMI Coconuts;

• Anna Maria Island Life;

• Pizza Social;

• Shady Lady Horticultural.

The sponsors’ support will provide funds for school software, student planners, reading support programs, water stations, events and academic experiences. Sponsor logos and mentions will be displayed throughout the year and celebrated with style.

The deadline to join the sponsorship campaign is Aug. 31.

For more information about becoming a sponsor, visit the AME-PTO website at amepto.org.

— Brook Morrison $2 $2

Cora Cole, 7, and sister Olivia, 4, walk with their mom, Courtney, on their first day of school at Anna Maria Elementary in Holmes Beach. Courtney started second-grade and Olivia entered prekindergarten. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Gunnar Maize, 10, right, walks brother Thane, 4, to Thane’s first session of prekindergarten. The boys were escorted on the first day of the new academic year by their mother, Devan Maize, of Bradenton. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Student support specialist Laura Redeker reads a Dr. Seuss book Aug. 17 to third-graders during the first full week of school. Islander Photo: Courtesy Nicole Plummer

LEFT: AME third-grader Luke Plummer studies his “all about me” poster Aug. 17 at the blackboard in his classroom. Islander Photo: Courtesy Sandy Angstadt

AME Calendar

• Monday, Sept. 4, Labor Day, no school.

• Monday, Sept. 11, 3:45 p.m., PTO member meeting, cafeteria.

• Thursday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m., Peace Day celebration, playground.

• Friday, Sept. 22, 6-8 p.m., PTO family social, Holmes Beach skate park, 5800 block of Marina Drive.

• Thursday, Sept. 28, 3:45 p.m., SAC meeting, Guy Harvey classroom.

• Oct. 2-5, Fire Safety Week.

• Monday, Oct. 9, 3:45 p.m., PTO board meeting, Guy Harvey classroom.

• Thursday, Oct. 12, end of first quarter.

• Friday, Oct. 13, record day, no school.

• Saturday, Oct. 28, Fall Festival, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.

Tiki & Kitty’s

Tiki and Kitty are heating up their shopping plans, taking a summer day or two to make a round of visits to the coolest shops.

They’ll definitely make a stop at Blue Flamingo, home to hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisan, where they also offer Dixie Belle paints.

Cat’s Meow has 7,700 square feet of vintage, unique and repurposed items. You may want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain, antique, unique hunters. Plus, there’s a mancave and a cool clothing boutique. You don’t want to miss this vast collection of vendors.

Blessed and Distressed is a tastefully designed store — so inviting, you’ll want to pull up a chair — with collectibles and work by local artists at Palma Sola Square, around the corner from Winn-Dixie. It

offers 30-plus vintage, upcycled, shabby chic and artsy vendors. You won’t be disappointed.

Scavengers Marketplace invites you to visit its many vendors at the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301, where a portion of your purchase benefits Moonracer No Kill Pet Rescue — our favorite pet rescue group. Founder Lisa Williams leads the rescue efforts and also works at The Islander as office manager.

FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints.

The Vintage Vine Market offers fine vintage wares and more with a whimsical twist in historic Old Manatee along the newest section of the Bradenton Riverwalk. The location in the 1910 building oozes charm — high ceilings, exposed brick and tons of natural light and greenery. And they take select consignments by appointment.

And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”

More! theblueflamingo.biz

N Washington Blvd

Anna Maria Elementary principal Michael Masiello Aug.

Photo: Robert Anderson

Tidings

By Lisa Neff

GDL supports wildfires relief

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is supporting relief efforts following wildfires in Hawaii through the Lutheran Disaster Response administered by the ELCA.

Earlier this month, a series of wildfires broke out on the island of Maui, causing widespread damage and killing more than 110 people.

A notice in the Holmes Beach church’s bulletin said 100% of the money donated via a link at gloriadeilutheran.com/news to LDR for “U.S. wildfires” will go to help those impacted by fire on Maui.

Donations in envelopes marked “Hawaii Disaster” also can be left at the church, 6608 Marina Drive.

For more information, call the church at 941-7781813.

Jay B. Myers

Jay B. Myers, 66, of Holmes Beach, devoted husband, father and grandfather, died Aug. 12 in Collierville, Tennessee, after a monthslong battle with cancer.

Compiled by Lisa

Neff

CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church.

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m., followed by life group.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Youth Summer activities; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.

Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org.

Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 9:15 a.m.

Ongoing: Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s breakfast.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com.

Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship.

Ongoing: First Sundays, food bank collections; Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., women’s social gathering.

Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.

Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.

Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com.

Worship: Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays through Aug. 30, 1 p.m., GriefShare; Tuesdays, 2 p.m., women’s book study.

St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.org, office@stbernardcc.

org. Worship: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

Ongoing: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; Saturdays, 3 p.m., confession.

OFF AMI

Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903, christchurchoflbk.org.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Women’s Bible Study; Mondays, 9 a.m., Men’s Bible Study.

Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-3428.

Worship: Fridays, Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.

SPECIAL DATES & EVENTS

Sept. 15, Rosh Hashanah.

Sept. 24, Yom Kippur.

GET LISTED, CHANGE LISTINGS

Seasons change and so do schedules. Please, send listings and/or changes in worship calendars and other events to calendar@ islander.org.

abroad in Korea.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Saint Anselm College in 1958.

Myers

He was born Dec. 8, 1956 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When he was 9, he and his six siblings moved to Memphis. He attended Holy Rosary, Christian Brothers High School (where he achieved his Eagle Scout Award) and the University of Memphis, Tennessee.

After college, he worked for Kodak, HP and ATS before starting Interactive Solutions Inc. in 1966. Specializing in audio visual and video conferencing technologies, ISI grew to more than $20 million in annual sales and was recognized by Inc. magazine seven times among the fastest growing private U.S. companies.

Mr. Myers was a lifelong New York Yankees fan who attended several Yankees Fantasy Camps, playing alongside legends such as Tommy John, Homer Bush, Daryl Strawberry and Jeff Nelson — whom he got a hit off of).

Playing off his love of baseball and stories of perseverance, Mr. Myers wrote three books about his experiences in life and business: “Keep Swinging,” “Hitting the Curveballs” and “Rounding Third and Heading for Home,” sharing how he was able to overcome an embezzlement and a partnership buyout while running and growing a successful business.

In 2018, he sold ISI and did public speaking engagements, including a TedX talk in 2021. He also hosted the “Extra Innings” podcast for three seasons.

He was an avid athletics supporter at the University of Memphis in Tennessee, including basketball, football and baseball, where the “Jay and Maureen Myers Hitting Room” honors his family’s contributions.

Mr. Myers also served as an executive in residence at the University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business and Economics, speaking frequently to classes of undergraduate and MBA students.

He was inducted into the Christian Brothers High School Hall of Fame in 2011 and into the Society of Entrepreneurs in 2018. He was the first recipient of the Kemmons Wilson Emerging Business Award. He was active in numerous community organizations in the Memphis area, including the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts, where he received the Silver Beaver Award for adult leaders and the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South, where he was on the board for 20 years. He was a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs through the SCORE program.

Over the years, he never missed a campout, swim meet, school play, awards ceremony, anniversary, birthday or family trip — no matter how busy.

He loved his home in Holmes Beach, where he was a member of the Key Royale Club. He and wife Maureen often could be found enjoying a glass of chardonnay on their dock or on the rooftop at the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach.

A celebration of life was held Aug. 19 in Collierville. Memorial donations may be made to CBHS, Church Health and Page Robbins

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Maureen; son Jordan and wife Alexis; daughter Katie and husband Kevin Quinn; granddaughter Ariana Myers; brother Chris; sister Diane Edwards; his faithful dog, Walker; and a far-reaching community of family and friends.

Ernie Schneevogl

Ernie Schneevogl, 88, of Holmes Beach, died April 12.

He was a full-time resident since 1998 but the island didn’t slow him down — his speed and tenacity never waned.

He had two careers after college. The fi rst was working in the insurance business as a senior underwriter for IRM, which took him to New York City, Chicago and finally Charlotte, North Carolina.

The second was working as a loyal Publix employee for 25 years. His intense passion for work was incredible and only his passing was able to break his dedication to Publix — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

He enjoyed working in the yard, drum-and-bugle corps music, aviation and keeping up with the local fishing community over breakfast at Peach’s on the island.

He was known to support the communities in which he worked and lived.

A celebration of life was held recently. To continue his legacy, he would be pleased to have people lend a helping hand to a neighbor on the island. Donations may be made to the Center of Anna Maria Island or carolinacrown.org.

Mr. Schneevogl is survived by daughter Lilly and son-in-law Ralph Butcher; grandson Alex and wife Amber and their children, Jackson and Aveline. He also will be missed and forever in the hearts of the Eurice and Garcia families.

John Mark Watkins

John Mark Watkins, 64, of Bradenton Beach, died July 23 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Oct. 5, 1958, in Portland, Oregon, to Paul and Betty Watkins.

Schneevogl

He was born in Connecticut and raised in New Jersey and was a great baseball player. He began working at a young age at the Monmouth racetrack paddock. He joined the U.S. Army and served

Watkins

After graduating high school, he attended college and majored in psychology, which suited him and his ability to get along with people.

Milestones

3 Holmes Beach parks board members reappointed

Three members will begin new terms when the Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee returns from summer break.

City commissioners unanimously voted Aug. 15 to approve Mayor Judy Titsworth’s recommended reappointments of Eileen Jellison and Kathryn Sandberg, as well as alternate member Debbie Hall.

The P&B is an advisory board focused on maintaining parks and green spaces, as well as beautifying the municipality.

The committee goes on an annual summer break

GoodDeeds

Anniversary celebration

OBITUARIES FROM PAGE 14

He spent much of his professional life in construction. He had great creative vision and could make virtually anything. He also could repair most everything with a little ingenuity and available tools. His charisma and work ethic made him an asset to any project.

His employees looked forward to working with him. Once he started a project, he wanted the project be the best and it always was.

He was gentle and nurturing, as demonstrated by his love of all animals, particularly dogs — and they loved him. Happy was a favorite labradoodle. He delivered her seven healthy puppies in the middle of Hurricane Ian and took care of all of them, including Papa Wags, with no electricity.

He never met a stranger and kept friends close to his heart. He would go out of his way to make sure people felt included. To know him was to love him.

Memorial gifts may be made to Manatee County Animal Welfare or the American Cancer Society.

Mr. Watkins is survived by his parents, Paul and Betty; brothers Paul Wayne, James and Michael; their spouses; several nieces; and Shelley Wheeler, his longtime business partner and best friend.

By Lisa Neff

Assistance offered on AMI

• Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live and/or work on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941778-0414.

• AID offers financial help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. Info: 941-725-2433.

Assistance sought on AMI

• The Anna Maria Island Art League seeks volunteers to help organize the Springfest Fine Arts Festival March 16-17 in Holmes Beach. Info: 419-450-4824.

• The Anna Maria Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization seeks sponsors for the 2023-24 academic year. Info: amepto@gmail.com, 941-708-5525, amepto.org/ame-sponsor.

• The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island welcomes members to support the gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, and also the nonprofit’s educational mission. Info: amiartistsguildgallery.com, 941778-6694.

• The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, seeks volunteers — onstage and off — for the 75th season of shows. Info: theislandplayers.org, 941941 778-5755.

• The Anna Maria Island Historical Society, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, seeks volunteers to become

At your service

Obituaries are offered as a free community service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to people with ties to the island.

Please, submit notices to news@islander. org. Paid obituaries can be discussed with ad consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

and hasn’t met since May.

In the meantime, Hall’s, Jellison’s and Sandberg’s terms expired Aug. 1.

All three applied for reappointment.

With their applications approved, their new terms will expire Aug. 1, 2025.

People can watch livestream video footage of the committee meetings on the city website, holmesbeachfl.org. As of The Islander’s press time Aug. 21, the committee’s next meeting was not scheduled.

— Ryan Paice

St. B to host blood drive

St. Bernard Catholic Church will host a blood drive with One Blood 8 a.m.-noon Sunday, Aug. 27, in the church parking lot at 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach.

Donors will receive a $20 gift card, a swag bag and a wellness checkup.

Appointments can be made at oneblood.org using the code 14317.

docents and, beginning this fall, bake bread. Info: 941778-0492, amihs.org.

• The Friends of the Island Library welcomes members to support the Holmes Beach branch, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, friendsoftheislandlibrary.org.

• Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals, as well as assist with technology. Info: 941-345-2441.

• Roser Food Bank seeks donations. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry, supported by All Island Denominations. Info: 941-778-0414.

— Lisa Neff

GoodDeeds notices: To list aid services on AMI or a call for help, email lisa@islander.org with details.

Jason and Stephanie Leitao of Holmes Beach are celebrating a one-year wedding anniversary. They are pictured at their Sept. 3, 2022, wedding on the beach near the Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria. Islander Courtesy Photo

Cops & Courts

Bradenton man arrested by HBPD for fentanyl possession

Holmes Beach police arrested Bradenton resident Chase Tanner, 31, Aug. 12 on a third-degree felony charge for allegedly possessing fentanyl, a controlled substance about 50 times more potent than heroin.

Tanner also was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for alleged possession of drug paraphernalia.

Two officers were patrolling the 77th Street beach access around 4 a.m. and found two people, Tanner and his girlfriend, on the beach.

The officers approached and found Tanner with a piece of aluminum foil in his hand and nearby a hypodermic syringe and more pieces of foil.

Tanner told officers a bag on the ground near him contained fentanyl, according to an HBPD report.

The officer field-tested the substance Tanner said was fentanyl and confirmed it to be an opiate. He also found powder in pieces of aluminum foil that had the same test results.

Tanner told police the substances and items were his, so his girlfriend was released from custody and allowed to leave.

The officers arrested Tanner and transported him to the Holmes Beach Police Department for processing.

An officer then transported Tanner to the Manatee County jail, where he remained in custody as of Aug. 16 with a $2,000 bond.

If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony charge includes up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000.

Punishment for a first-degree misdemeanor includes up to one year in jail, one year of probation and a fine of up to $1,000.

An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

— Ryan Paice

By Robert Anderson and Ryan Paice

Island police reports

Anna Maria

Aug. 12, 500 block of Blue Heron Drive, noise. A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded at 11:53 p.m. to a noise complaint. The caller said loud music was playing across the street. The deputy issued a citation for violation of the noise ordinance.

The MCSO polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

Aug. 18, 300 block of Gulf Drive South, drugs. A Bradenton Beach police officer ran a vehicle plate and found the registered owner of the vehicle had no license and conducted a traffic stop. The officer observed an odor of marijuana from the vehicle. During a search, the officer found a pipe and a small container with what field-tested positive as marijuana. The motorist was cited for marijuana possession.

The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

No new reports.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

Aug. 10, Publix Liquor Store, 503 Manatee Ave. W., alcohol. An officer from the Holmes Beach Police Department responded to reports of people being loud and drinking alcohol at about 7 p.m. outside the store and found three people, including a man with a beer can in his hand. The area was littered with empty cans and broken glass and all three people appeared to be intoxicated. The officer issued a court summons to the man in possession of an open alcohol container. When the man refused to sign the citation, the officer arrested him and transported him to the Manatee County jail.

Aug. 14, Holmes Beach Skate Park, 5900 block of Marina Drive, recovered property. An officer returned to the HBPD to log a recovered license plate found by a public works employee. The offi cer searched databases and found the license plate belonged to a Bradenton man. He called local authorities to check in with the man and placed the license plate in storage. HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

Manatee Avenue Market

Gumbozilla

Andre’s Famous Gumbo Made-Fresh Daily Breakfast & Lunch Sandwiches & Salads

Pressed Cubans . Chicken Salad . Soup du Jour Dog food, household items, cold beverages, beer, wine,

2019 Cortez hit-and-run retrial set for September

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

A man accused of aggravated battery and leaving the scene of a Cortez crash in 2019 will face a new trail in September.

Police arrested David Nichols, 60, of Bradenton, in November 2019 and he went to trial in December 2022, when jurors deadlocked on the case.

Prosecutors allege that Nichols hit and dragged Fred “Fat Freddy” Gilliland of Cortez underneath his vehicle for nearly a block on 101st Street West.

Gilliland sustained injuries to his spleen, a lacerated liver, rib fractures, a collapsed lung and facial lacerations. Also, his right arm was amputated. With the jury in 2022 unable to agree on a verdict, a judge declared a mistrial.

Nichols requested a new trial in a handwritten letter dated July 24 and addressed to the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Nichols requested the trial under rule 3.640 of the Florida criminal procedures, which says a new trial “shall proceed in all respects as if no former trail had occurred except when an offense is divided into degrees or the charge includes a lesser offense.”

Court records show no changes to the charges against Nichols.

If convicted, Nichols faces a mandatory prison sentence with a maximum penalty of 15 years.

Nichol’s case was scheduled for the trial period beginning Tuesday Sept. 5, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Nichols has been in the Manatee County jail since Oct. 25, 2022, after being denied reinstatement of $150,000 bond stemming from a citation for allegedly driving with a suspended license. The citation was a violation of the conditions of his pretrial release.

In

Streetlife

Holmes Beach funding request rests with tourist council

By Lisa Neff Islander Editor

Holmes Beach is pedaling a plan to use tourist development taxes to build better beach access for pedestrians and bikers.

Holmes Beach officials were set Aug. 21 to ask the Manatee County Tourist Development Council to budget improvements to bicycle and pedestrian accesses to the beaches and the city’s largest park.

The TDC was to meet at the Center of Anna Maria Island Aug. 21, as The Islander went to press, to take up a series of agenda items, including a funding request from the island’s largest city for multimodal improvements.

Mayor Judy Titsworth and city engineer Sage Kamiya were scheduled to deliver a presentation and ask the TDC to recommend the county commission OK funding using the tourist development tax — the 5% bed tax collected by accommodations on overnight stays of six-months or less.

The proposal involves creating a multiuse path along Gulf Drive and also adding a section of a multiuse path to complete a route along Marina Drive.

A goal with the project is to improve pedestrian and bicycle access to about 30 beach accesses near Gulf Drive and also improve access to city field amenities near Marina Drive, according to a PowerPoint presentation provided prior to the TDC meeting.

The proposal also involves installing nature-focused educational signs and improving some beach access paths, as well as installing an educational kiosk

Early start on AMI

The sun rises Aug. 10 over the Intracoastal Waterway, as seen from the Anna Maria City Pier, 100 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria. The sunrise that day was at 6:59 a.m.

at the waterfront park near city field.

The city also is proposing rapid-flashing beacons at three midblock crosswalks.

The presentation includes the following costs:

• Gulf Drive multiuse path improvements, $1.29 million;

• Marina Drive multiuse path improvements, $239,489;

• Rapid-flashing beacons, $60,000;

• Signage, $594,000;

• Engineering design, $250,000.

But the project is divided into phases, with phase 1 projected to cost $1,133,401. The TDT would pay $733,948.

Phase 1 includes multiuse paths on Gulf Drive from Holmes Boulevard to 66th Street and on Marina from 56th Street to 66th Street, one flashing beacon, signage and pervious beach access at 65th Street and associated engineering.

The TDC agenda also included a report on tourism trends and an update from Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, whose city is negotiating an agreement to serve as a stop for a new water taxi service.

The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Holmes Beach was set to deliver the invocation. Grunfeld has been active in calling for the creation of affordable housing in the county.

The next TDC meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

About the TDC

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council recommends to county commissioners how to spend the tourist development tax — the 5% tax collected on overnight rentals of six months or less.

State statutes dictate that TDT spending must boost and develop tourism.

Members include County Commissioner James Satcher, Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, Palmetto Mayor Shirley Bryant, hoteliers Jiten Patel, Ed Chiles, Eric Cairns and Rahul Patel and interested citizens Dave Wick and Norma Kennedy.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• Anna Maria Island Bridge on State Road 64/ Manatee Avenue: Single-lane closures can be expected 7 p.m.-6 a.m. through December. The Florida Department of Transportation is repairing the drawbridge due to the “harsh marine environment.” For more, go to swflroads.com/project/440237-1.

• City center in Holmes Beach: Work on the city’s project near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives is not concluded. Traffic patterns can change. For the latest, check the city’s page on Facebook.

Manatee County’s work on a force main project is not concluded and traffic patterns can change. As of the week ending Aug. 20, the contractor was working on roadway patching and testing the sanitary sewer system. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach : Manatee County is relocating and replacing sewer lines. Through late August, northbound and southbound lanes on Gulf Drive South between 11th Street South and 13th Street South will be shifted west to route traffic around the project construction zone. The contractor will be installing new gravity sewer pipe across Gulf Drive South at 12th Street South and along the east side of Gulf Drive South a few hundred feet south of 12th Street South. The contractor also will install the gravity sewer pipeline on 12th Street South. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

For area road watch information, go online to swflroads.com or dial 511

— Lisa Neff

s e

staurant Summer Specials

Mixed Up Monday’s Half Price Cocktails

Steak & Frites Tuesday and Thursday Nights $34 95

Wine Down Wednesdays 25% Off All Bottles of Wine

Four Course Summer Dinner Prix Fixe $49/person

li Summer Specials

20% off wine every day! (Three bottle minimum)

Buy two entrees, get a free dessert!

Buy two soups, get one free!

Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Editor’s note: The following is part two of a six-part series about the 1921 hurricane. The report, by June Alder, first appeared in print in 1993. It has been edited for content and style.

A wild night

By June Alder

From The Islander archives

Jack Leffingwell had made a wise decision to cut short the “bridge” party at the Club House hotel in Cortez on the blustery Sunday afternoon of Oct. 23, 1921.

For by the time the last guests had left in their motorcars for the safety of Bradentown, the wind had reached gale force.

Leffingwell knew then that a dangerous storm was coming.

He and his friend Pat Green set about doing what they could to secure the bridge that Leffingwell had labored six months to build.

With the help of the caretaker who had vowed to stay at his post through the night as always, they moored the pile driver to some pilings using heavy hawsers.

They also stashed away loose equipment and tools, then hauled Leffingwell’s motorboat, the Chiquita, up into the yard of the hotel, tying it fast to a seagrape tree.

When they had boarded up the windows and doors at the Club House, Pat went home, leaving Leffingwell to ride out the storm alone.

Once more, Leffingwell struggled out to where the caretaker was keeping watch. He tried to persuade the old fellow to leave but again he refused.

Fighting against the wind and rain, at times nearly crawling on his hands and knees, Leffingwell finally got himself back to the hotel.

“There was nothing else I could do to protect our

The 1921 hurricane

The Cortez docks are wrecked following the hurricane of 1921. The storm went on record as the most destructive in the Tampa Bay area since 1848. The National Weather Service says, “Without the support of modern tools, such as satellites, radars, computer graphics and mathematical models, the forecast for such an event was extremely difficult as it was completely dependent on sparse marine and land observations. Most of the hurricane forecasts in those days were based on climatological data from previous hurricanes, which suggested that in general, cyclones moving over the Gulf of Mexico had a tendency of passing well north of Tampa.” Islander Photos: Courtesy Manatee County Public Library System/Florida Maritime Museum

property,” Leffingwell wrote many years later. “So I adjourned to my living quarters on the second floor of the Club House, lit a fire in the fireplace to dry my soaking clothes and went off to bed.”

Leffingwell was really more worried about what might happen to the bridge than for himself. He figured he had gotten through worse predicaments — two

wars, the one in Mexico and the big one in Europe, many storms and encounters with disaster at sea. But he sure would hate having that bridge torn up.

Leffingwell didn’t get much sleep that night. His ears ached with the high-pitched hum of the hurricane — that’s what it was, for sure. The wind howling about the eaves of the hotel sounded like a hundred wild cats bawling. The rain drummed on the roof and window panes like gravel rattling in a jar. The din kept on and on — until about midnight came the lull.

Captains report poachers continue to pillage, despite citations

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Local captains say they are fighting against a flood of poaching in Sarasota Bay.

Tour boat operators have contributed witness accounts, photographs and video leading the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to cite at least four people for alleged illegal harvest of shellfish from the bay since July 1.

But the boat captains say the pillaging continues.

The captains — Capt. Kathe Fannon of Captain Kathe and First Mate Pup-Pup charters of Cortez, Capt. Katie of Captain Katie Scarlett Boat Tours of Cortez, Capt. Joey Sweet of Sweet Sunsets and Dolphin Tours out of Anna Maria and Capt. Bruce Adamo of Passage

WILD NIGHT FROM PAGE 18

And dead silence.

“After that, all hell broke loose,” Leffingwell remembered. “The wind must have been coming from the south at a velocity of better than a hundred miles an hour.”

“I heard a banging noise downstairs, and thinking some shutter or door had blown open, I took my flashlight and started down the staircase to investigate. I had only gone down a few steps when I stepped in water. That sure enough frightened me!”

“I knew then that the whole Cortez peninsula must be under at least 8 feet of water. I rushed upstairs and connected up my electric fire-fishing spotlight and, crawling out on the roof of the north porch, I began to survey what was happening.

“The pile-driver was gone along with its faithful guardian. Anna Maria Island across the sound was completely under water; only treetops showed above the breakers. I could not see the bridge or anything else to the south on account of the force of the storm, so I crawled back inside and hoped for the best.”

As daylight broke about an hour later, the wind began to die down and Leffingwell went downstairs to make some coffee.

“That java may have been ‘good to the last drop,’” Leffingwell wrote, “but I did not enjoy it at all because I was worried about the fate of the some 400 residents of Cortez. What had happened to them? What about the folks on the Island? I almost forgot about the bridge.”

Next: Look for “The day after” in the Aug. 30 issue.

Key Dolphin Tours of Anna Maria — have been working for several months to document multiple groups— some comprised of up to 60 people — poaching sea life from the bay’s sandbars and grass flats.

The captains say the poachers are focused on collecting edible shellfish, including whelks, clams, pen shells and sea urchins.

After the FWC issued citations in July, Tupin and Sweet said they saw the same boats and people in the bay a few days later.

Tupin said the citations didn’t stop the poachers but, she noted, they seemed to be working faster, using metal rakes to pull shellfish from the flats.

“About two or three nights ago, we saw people raking and digging up the seagrass up there at the South Coquina ramp,” Tupin said in an Aug. 17 interview with The Islander.

She said she called an FWC hotline but was told the nearest enforcement boat was more than an hour away.

The poachers drove away with bags full of sea life, according to Tupin.

She and Sweet also told The Islander that since the beginning of August they’d each witnessed at least six poaching incidents. All were reported to the FWC but the offenders got away with what Tupin estimated to be hundreds of live shellfish and other marine life.

Both captains expressed the need for conservation organizations to help report illegal harvests of marine life, as well as monitor poaching.

They may get their wish.

Suncoast Waterkeepers is patrolling Sarasota Bay in a newly acquired boat to monitor pollution and mangroves.

Abbey Tyrna, executive director for the nonprofit, told The Islander Aug. 16 that the group might consider a possible course of action regarding poaching.

“We will put it on the agenda for our public board meeting and what would be the actions that we can take toward ensuring the protection of our bays for

clean water,” she said. “All of the life in the bay is instrumental to the ecosystem. We will definitely be bringing up this issue at our next board meeting and hopefully lending a hand using our boat patrol program.”

Suncoast Waterkeepers will meet next Aug. 30.

On Aug. 16, the FWC responded to The Islander’s request for comment by email: “The FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement is proactively working to regulate this ongoing concern by focusing targeted efforts through high visibility and covert patrols in this area.”

Checking the rules

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website states the following about collecting sea life:

In Manatee County, a person cannot harvest or possess more than two shells — including echinoderms such as sand dollars and starfish — containing live organisms of any single species except for oysters, hard clams, sunray Venus clams and coquinas per day.

The recreational collection of seashells is allowed, depending on whether the seashell contains a living organism, the type of organism it contains and where a person will be collecting the shell.

Seashells containing live organisms cannot be sold unless the seller has a commercial saltwater products license.

Harvest of any shellfish species is prohibited in waters not meeting approved or conditionally approved classification, including unclassified waters.

To report a violation, call the FWC hotline at 888-404-FWCC.

— Robert Anderson

Center adult football champs named, more sports on horizon

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

Luxury Services completed an undefeated season with a dominating victory in the Aug. 17 championship match over Moss Builders in the adult flag football league at the Center of Anna Maria Island.

Adult flag football league champs: Luxury Services.

Luxury Services jumped out to a 20-6 lead before holding on for a 40-24 victory behind five touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown from quarterback Chase Richardson. Alonzo Leemus was his favorite target, finishing with nine catches including a TD and an extra point.

Cassidy

Tim Holly also had a big game, finishing with five catches, two for TDs.

Derrick Carey and Brad Lowry each added a TD and an extra point, while Jasmine Muldoon completed the scoring with an extra-point catch.

Ryan Moss threw four TD passes, including two to Peggy Smith for Moss Builders, which received TD catches from Greg Moss and James Roadman in the loss.

Key Royale news

Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach got off to a wet start with the course being closed Aug. 14.

The women played a nine-hole individual-low-net match Aug. 15. Helen Pollock and Jana Samuels both carded 2-under-par 30s to finish in a tie for first place. Terry Westby came in second with a 5-over-par 37.

Members were back on the course Aug. 17 for a nine-hole scramble.

The team of Deb and Dave Richardson, Rich Salzburg and Kurt Snouffer combined on a 2-under-par 30 to earn clubhouse bragging rights for the day.

The team of Mike Gillie, Don Grau, Dom Livedoti and Tom Nelson matched the even-par 32 carded by John Kolojeski, Ken Nagengast, Jana Samuels and Bill Shuman for a tie for second place.

Horseshoe news

Aug. 16 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits was short and sweet, thanks to Tim Sofran and Dom Livedoti, who posted the lone 3-0 pool-play record.

Livedoti was back in the mix, this time teamed up with Rod Bussey for the Aug. 19 games. The duo jumped out to an early lead and then held on for a 22-17 victory over Bob Heiger and Tim Sofran to win

the day’s championship.

Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Seashorse circulates on social

Capt. Beth Wright of Island Time Boat Tours — islandtimeboattours.com — says Aug. 17 that a photo of a solitary seahorse taken on one of their Anna Maria Island ecotours found plenty of loves and likes on social media: “It’s been a huge hit, receiving over 2,500 likes in less than 24 hours on Facebook.” Wright reached out to The Islander to share the love. Islander Courtesy Photo

Players Chase Richardson, Brad Lowry, Derrick Carey, Tim Holly, Alonzo Leemus and Jasmine Muldoon show off their championship cups on winning the championship at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Islander

SportsShort

Center registering for basketball season

The Center of Anna Maria Island is registering players for youth and adult basketball leagues. Adults must register by Friday, Sept. 1, and kids must register by Friday, Sept. 8.

Adult play will be Sept. 18-Nov. 20 on Mondays, with a draft and pickup games set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4.

Youth play — ages 5-14 — will be Sept. 30-Nov. 18 on Saturdays.

Evaluations will be Wednesday, Sept. 13.

The center also will host a fall adult soccer, with play to begin Sept. 7, and a youth soccer league, with play to begin Sept. 5.

For more information, including costs and fees, call the center at 941-778-1908 or email info@centerami.org.

The Islander to launch 30th year, “Get in the Game’

The Tampa Bay Rays are still swinging the bats — swinging them hard.

The Bradenton Marauders are still playing under the lights at LECOM Park.

Lionel Messi is kicking goals in Miami, scoring in every game played thus far in the MLS season.

But there are plenty of sports fans ready for some football.

And The Islander is getting ready to launch its popular weekly football contest — Get in the Game.

Watch for the entry forms weekly beginning with the Sept. 6 issue.

There are two contests per week.

In the first, the person who enters the most correct game-winning predictions will win $50.

In the second, the person who guesses the correct score of the Bucs’ game will win $50.

As many as 15 local businesses help The Islander sponsor the contest.

can catch it all online at islander.org

Photo: Courtesy CofAMI

Late summer warning: Keep an eye on radar for pop-up storms

By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Island anglers need to know when and where to seek shelter as thunderstorms and rain showers are typical during late summer.

These storms can bring gusts of wind, torrential rain and lightning.

The last place you want to be is on open water during a lightning storm. Out on the water, you’re at the highest point, greatly improving the potential for a strike. Even running on the outskirts of a thunderstorm can be dangerous, as lightning can strike miles from the center.

Stasny

So keeping an eye on the horizon — as well as on the radar —is a good idea in August and September, when storms can pop up and catch you off guard.

Many of the storms can be brief, so escaping them can be as easy as finding the closest ramp or pier to take shelter off the boat.

If you’re offshore fishing, your best bet is to evade the storm by going in a different direction, heading in or not going out at all if the forecast calls for stormy weather and rough seas.

Whether fishing offshore or inshore, it’s good to have a plan on where to go to take shelter.

As much as we love being on the water and fishing,

we must put safety first. You don’t want to learn this lesson the hard way.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m seeing limits of mangrove snapper being caught. Some days, I’m using knocker rigs to catch the snapper near the bottom. On other days, the snapper are rising toward the surface in the chum, making them catchable on a free-line.

After working the snapper bite, I’m fishing over deep grass fl ats for spotted seatrout, which also is yielding Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and silver trout.

Capt. David White is finding plenty of action for clients offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Snappers are the predominant species and are being caught on a variety of baits, including frozen shiners, frozen threadfin herring or live bait, such as shiners and pinfish. American red snapper, the largest of the species being caught, are taking both frozen and live bait offerings. Smaller snappers, such as mangrove and yellowtail, are being caught on live shiners.

Moving inshore, catch-and-release snook are providing action while baiting with live shiners. Spotted seatrout also are an option, as well as sharks and mangrove snapper.

TideWatch

and released — while vacationing with family on Anna Maria Island.

Beating the heat on AMI

Marc Wiesniewski reported from Wisconsin on his fishing adventures while on a trip to Anna Maria Island for his mother-in-law’s 90th birthday. His crew included his three kids — Anna, Ava and Andrew — and niece Christina with husband Brian.

To beat the heat, they mostly fished 6-9:30 a.m. and again from about 7:30 p.m. into the night.

Wiesniewski said in his Aug. 17 email, “The best action came on moving tides. It didn’t seem to matter if it was in-coming or out-going as long as it was moving.”

The family fished piers and passes from Anna Maria Island down to New Pass. “We ended up catching 13 different species using nothing but artificial lures. We used no live or natural bait.”

All their fish were released.

Red tide not detected but fish kills reported in Manatee

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not detected in Manatee County the week ending Aug. 20.

In fact, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported K. brevis was not observed at any locations in the state.

However, there were reports of dead fish on coastlines, including in Manatee County along Palma Sola Bay. Dead fish included pufferfish, sole, flounder and blowfish. Dead seahorses and crab also were reported.

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program executive director

Dead fish Aug. 16 line the shore of Palma Sola Bay in Bradenton. The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program has said low oxygen levels brought on by warmer waters and higher salinity counts caused the fish kills. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Izzy Heather, 12, and her family from the Pittsburgh area, fished with Anna Maria Charters. Izzy helped catch this red grouper and the family also caught black grouper. It was a celebratory fishing trip for Izzy, who, in December 2022, was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma — a type of bone cancer relatively rare in children. After major surgery and 14 radiation treatments, according to Capt. Dave White, who took the family fishing, “She kicked cancer’s ass!” White added he felt fortunate to be her guide: “Gratitude is truly an understatement. I’m humbled.”

Capt. Warren Girle says targeting spotted seatrout in Sarasota Bay is producing a fairly consistent bite. Free-lining live shiners over deeper grass flats is leading to plenty of action on trout, as well as a variety of other species in the same areas. Ladyfish, mackerel and bluefish are taking the bait, too. And lucky anglers are finding mangrove snapper mixed in.

Fishing shallow flats is yielding catch-and-release snook, as well as a few redfish. The best bite for the reds is occurring when Girle puts anglers on a school on the flats.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says limits of mangrove snapper are attainable by determined anglers. Using live shrimp as bait on a weighted rig cast under the pier is working best. Snapper 10-12 inches are the norm, although larger fish are present.

Catch-and-release snook— ranging from 20 to 40 inches —are being caught frequently on live shrimp.

Lastly, live shrimp as bait is attracting an occasional redfish to the hook at the northernmost pier on Anna Maria Island.

Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

David Tomasko has said historic high temperatures plus higher salinity contributed to very low oxygen in the water, causing marine life to die.

For more information about fish kills, go to myfwc. com/research/redtide/statewide.

— Lisa Neff

Capt. Mike Greig

Andrew Wiesniewski of Wisconsin shows off a small grouper caught —

Nesting notes

By Lisa Neff

Greening the beach

Loggerheads made most of the more than 400 sea turtle nests marked on AMI beaches to date this summer but Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring also has documented the presence of another species — greens.

By the end of July — three months into nesting season — AMITW had marked 10 green sea turtle nests and the first of the green nests had hatched.

The turtle watch team marked another green nest the week ending Aug. 13, as well as a couple of false crawls by chelonia mydas

Some facts about the largest of the hard-shelled sea turtle species from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

• Greens weigh 250-400 pounds in adulthood and measure 3-4 feet in length.

• Their lifespan is not known but they are estimated to live at least 70 years.

• They nest in more than 80 countries, with the two largest populations found at Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and Raine Island on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

• In the United States, nesting greens are primarily found in the Hawaiian Islands, Florida and territories such as Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Nesting also occurs annually in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas.

• Nesting activity has been recorded in almost every coastal county in Florida but most green turtle nesting is concentrated along the state’s southeast coast — on the Atlantic.

• About 100-1,000 green turtles annually nest on Florida’s beaches.

• Like other sea turtles, greens surface from the water to breathe.

• Females are solitary, night-time nesters that lay eggs on land.

• Greens lay about 110 eggs per nest and will nest every two weeks over several months before leaving a nesting area and returning to foraging grounds.

• Greens are great travelers, migrating hundreds to thousands of kilometers between their foraging grounds and nesting beaches.

• The hatchlings orient seaward by moving away from the darkest silhouette of the landward dune or vegetation to crawl toward the brightest horizon. On undeveloped or protected beaches, they crawl toward the open horizon over the water.

• Green turtles are the only herbivorous species

About AMITW

AMITW is a nonprofit focused on collecting data on threatened or endangered sea turtles. The organization also collects data on shorebirds. The nesting data is required to meet beach renourishment contracts and AMITW is compensated by the county for its service.

WHAT’S HANGING?

BY LISA SENZEL AND JEFF CHEN / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

of sea turtle, consuming a diet mainly of algae and seagrasses, though they may also forage on sponges, invertebrates and discarded fish.

• Threats to the species, protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, include bycatch in fishing gear, climate change, direct harvest of turtles and eggs, disease, loss and degradation of nesting and foraging habitat, ocean pollution and marine debris and vessel strikes.

For more information about AMITW, call the nonprofit at 941-301-3484, email info@islandturtlewatch. com or go online to islandturtlewatch.com.

As of Aug. 19, AMITW had identified 402 nests, 441 false crawls, 245 hatched nests and about 18,647 hatchlings to the Gulf of Mexico. They also reported 85 disorientation incidents.

No. 0813

ABOVE: The Baig kids — Zayyan, Izhaan and Imara — look on. Islander Photos: Courtesy Amy Waterbury

LEFT: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch volunteer Linda O’Neal excavates a sea turtle nest Aug. 12 on Anna Maria Island.

By Lisa Neff

‘Save our wetlands’

“Shame,” someone shouted before Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge called the board’s Aug. 17 land-use meeting to a five-minute recess.

The board, seconds earlier, voted 6-1 to transmit to the Florida Department of Commerce a text amendment to the county comprehensive plan changing “the requirement for wetlands mitigation, making Manatee County impact mitigation consistent with state standards” and amending wetland buffer requirements to be “consistent with state standards.”

All that’s a wordy way of saying the commission voted to move forward with weakening regulations that require a buffer protecting wetlands from development.

Commissioner George Kruse was the vote against the motion at the meeting chaired by Van Ostenbridge, who represents District 3, which includes a large section of west Manatee, including Anna Maria Island, Cortez and part of Longboat Key.

Kruse more than hinted at what his vote would be when he called the proposed change “asininely dumb.”

In between a morning prayer to open the meeting and Van Ostenbridge’s call for a recess at about 2:15 p.m., the commissioners heard hours of public comment against their plan to delete current buffer requirements and defer to the state’s minimum standards.

Dozens of people — some wearing blue to symbolize a “Save our Wetlands” campaign coordinated by Suncoast Waterkeeper, ManaSota-88 and the League of Women Voters of Manatee County — addressed commissioners.

All the speakers focused on the environmental reasons to protect the soggy areas where water meets land rather than reducing the buffer between wetlands and development.

Wetlands clean water, recharge water supplies,

Tracking Suzi

The Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles hard-shell marathon began Aug. 1 with 12 sea turtles being tracked using satellite telemetry to boost science, research and education.

Anna Maria Island’s entry, Suzi, is a loggerhead tagged and released June 27 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

Suzi’s distance as of Aug. 21 in the Tour de Turtles: 566 miles.

Suzi’s ranking in the Tour de Turtles: Second. People can follow Suzi’s journey at tourdeturtles. org.

Summer read

Hey Manatee County, after reading the public comments on the county commission’s move to weaken wetland protections, get in the queue to read an offering from the county’s public library system.

Annie Proulx’s “Fen, Bog & Swamp:

A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis” is one of the best books published in 2022, a mesmeric read about the roles of wetlands and the history of their destruction.

—

Lisa Neff

provide buffers to storm surge, reduce flood risks, provide marine life and wildlife habitat, as well as offer recreational opportunities and aesthetic benefits. And wetland buffers are essential to protecting the integrity of a wetland.

Some people also took aim at the politics — and the money — behind the proposed change, which the county’s own planning commission voted against. No one during public comment backed the change.

Kruse had plenty of time during the forum at the administration building in Bradenton to look out at the crowd and spot at least four people who work in development.

“They’re in the room,” Kruse observed. He added, “They’re literally sitting there.”

But they did not step to the podium to support the “county-initiated” amendment.

Why?

Because there’s no way they want to be on the record, Kruse said.

Kruse called for someone — anyone — to tell him “why” the county should change its wetland regulations.

“Nobody here has told me there’s a legitimate reason,” he said.

The special consultant hired to defend the amend-

For the record

By Terry Schaefer Holmes Beach commissioner

Special to The Islander

Despite expert and numerous testimonies from a large public outpouring, six Manatee County commissioners favored developers Aug. 17 over protection of our waterways.

Commissioner George Kruse dissected this developer-inspired initiative, which will allow them to build closer to waterways, accelerating the risk of greater pollution.

Schaefer

Kruse clearly framed the debate asking, “Who benefits from this?” No one answered.

Kruse also pinned the tail on the donkeys of Commissioners James Satcher and Kevin Van Ostenbridge, whose campaign materials stated clean water was their No. 1 objective.

How deceptive!

There was absolutely no objectivity from the six commissioners who certified their allegiance to developers and the seemingly assurance of the continued funding they hope to receive.

It is so regrettable that this county commission, which did not rely on experts or have the interest to pursue the necessary science, rebuffed the advice and efforts of a huge cadre of water quality organizations and experts working every day to improve our water.

These six county commissioners have again proven that their benefactor developers are setting the environmental policies affecting us all.

Please, remember their names during their election cycle.

Commissioner George Kruse deserves our appreciation for talking truth to power.

ment, Daniel DeLisi out of West Palm Beach, declined to take any credit for the proposal.

Only Van Ostenbridge offered an explanation. He said six conservative Republicans on the commission directed county staff to “sniff” out overregulation or duplication.

The vote Aug. 17 wasn’t the last word on the issue.

The text amendment needs an OK from multiple state agencies — including the departments of state, environmental protection, agriculture and transportation, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the bureau of historic preservation and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

But it’s important to note these are all agencies of the state and the county is basically seeking to hand over control to the state.

As Kruse put it in what’s become known in local politics as a Kruse missile, “The state is trying to take control … and we’re voluntarily giving it to them.”

Give your voice to Suncoast Waterkeeper’s “Save our Wetlands” campaign at suncoastwaterkeeper.org.

Neff

— Lisa Neff

A map shows where Suzi, a loggerhead outfitted June 27 in Bradenton Beach with a tracking device, traveled through Aug. 21. Islander Screenshot

ITEMS FOR SALE

OLIVE OIL FROM my farm in Greece. Wine bottle size (750ml). $19. Delivered to your AMI address. 203-942-8399.

TWO TRAILER TIRES: 15-inches, five-bolt tires and rim, $20 each. 941-778-5542.

PANINNI MAKER: CUISINART, stainlesssteel, like new, $45. 941-920-2494.

SPICE RACK, THREE-tier clear plastic, $20, side tables, brown with glass top, 2/$20. 941-920-2494. 941-920-2494.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FREE, one week, must be submitted online. Email classifieds@islander. org, fax toll-free 1-866-362-9821. (limited time offer)

Paradise Improvements 941.792.5600

AdoptA-Pet

Oh, those eyes!

Bella is an 8-year-old mixed-breed lovebug!

She’s neutered and has all vaccinations — ready to meet her new family! Call Lisa Williams at 941-3452441 or visit The Islander office in Holmes Beach. And for more about pet adoption, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.

SPONSORED BY

ANSWERS TO AUG. 23 PUZZLE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EARLY CLASSIFIED DEADLINE! The Islander office will be closed in observance of Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4. The deadline to have your classified ad appear in the Sept. 6 edition is 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1. Place your ad at www.islander.org.

ESTATE SALES

ESTATE SALE: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. 425 Partridge Circle, Bird Key. Microfiber and leather sectional sofas, three cabinets, buffet, abstract paintings, chests, end tables, 57- and 59-inch wood blinds, ceiling fans, bar chairs, large patio set, bookcase, king headboard, modern chandelier, plants and pots, kitchenware, other items still in storage. Pix: www.estatesales.net. Sale by Julie McClure.

LOST & FOUND

LOST: WALLET NEAR Judy’s Restaurant, 9516 Cortez Road, Bradenton. Reward. Please, call 313-310-3290.

PETS

HELP RESCUED PETS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal Rescue. Email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

TRANSPORTATION

GOLF CART RENTALS: Fun for residents and tourists! www.GolfCartRentalAMI.com.

HONDA RUCKUS SCOOTER. 2022 with 199 miles. $2,500. Call 941-713-3277.

FOR SALE: 2000 electric Gem car. New batteries, new motor, seat covers, new tires and wheels. Asking $2,800., Call 813-758-3762. Come see it, we know you’ll like it.

FOR SALE: 2009 Club Car golf cart. Fully customized in 2013, street legal, large motor, seats four. Asking $4,300. Call 813-6855530.

BOATS & BOATING

HAVE A BOAT and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. Captain Chris, 941-896-2915.

SUNCOAST BOTTOM PAINTING: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. Call 941704-9382.

BOAT SLIP: HOLMES Beach, 85th Street. With boat lift, electric, storage, water. $130,000 obo. 941-792-7965.

FISHING

FUN AND FISH: Skiff rental. 24-foot Carolina skiff. Live bait and fi shing equipment included upon request. Call 941-704-9382.

HELP WANTED

BOOTH STAFF AND parasail mate needed for local business. Fun job, great environment, good pay. Must be able to pass drug test. 518- 243-9465. parasailnationsouth@ gmail.com

REPORTER WANTED: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

HELP WANTED Continued

MICHAEL SAUNDERS & COMPANY is seeking a full-time administrative assistant to run front desk at our AMI real estate sales office. Greet guests, process listings and closings, etc. Prior administration experience required. We offer excellent benefits. Send resume to humanresources@michaelsaunders.com.

NOW HIRING HANDYMAN: Full-time professional services. $18 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941962-2874.

KIDS FOR HIRE

NEED AN ADULT night out? Call Maty’s Babysitting Services. I’m 16, love kids and have lots of experience. References upon request. 618-977-9630.

KIDS FOR HIRE ads are FREE for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. Ads must be placed in person at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.

SERVICES

IS YOUR HOME or office in need of some cleaning? Well, I’m your girl! Local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.

CLEANING: VACATION, CONSTRUCTION, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

PRESSURE WASHING, PAVER sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

BICYCLE REPAIRS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.

COMPANION/HOMEMAKER: Honest and reliable offering help with running errands, grocery shopping, house sitting, pet and plant care, light cooking/cleaning, transportation. References available and licensed. Call Sherri, 941-592-4969.

API’S DRYWALL REPAIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANING: Residential, commercial, free estimates. “We want to earn your business!” 207-8526163.

AIRPORT RIDES: SARASOTA, St. Pete, Tampa. Call/text, Vita, 941-376-7555.

RIDES NEAR AND Far, car transport. Based in Palmetto. 715-292-8692.

CLEAN TECH MOBILE Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, RVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

PIANO LESSONS: PROFESSOR offering lessons beginner through advanced levels, all ages, audition prep and accompanying. 941-518-9973.

RIDEEASY247: a local ride service providing a professional car service to all local airports and venues. References on request. Eamonn Fortune, 941-447-7737.

SERVICES Continued

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS JD’s Window

Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

BEACH SERVICE air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill Eller, 941-720-7411. CAC184228.

LAWN & GARDEN

CONNIE’S LANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-778-5294.

BARNES LAWN AND Landscape LLC. Design and installation, lawn and landscape services, tree trimming, mulch, rock and shell. 941-705-1444. Jr98@barneslawnandlandscape.com.

COLLINS LANDSCAPE LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com.

SHELL DELIVERED AND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

MP LAWN MAINTENANCE now accepting new clients. Call Dante, 941-730-9199. mp@ mplawnmaintenance.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

VAN-GO PAINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

TILE -TILE -TILE. All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. Call Neil, 941-726-3077.

GRIFFIN’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-962-2874.

HANDYMAN AND PAINTING. No job too small. Most jobs just right. Call Richard Kloss. 941-204-1162.

SCREENING SERVICES: Replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. Many screen types available. Retired veteran here to serve our community! Free estimates, call Lane, 941-705-5293.

CALL HYDRO CLEAN. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

SARASOTA INTERIOR PAINTING: We specialize in high-end properties. We love to paint! Owner operated. Fully insured/ licensed. Call or text Don, 941-900-9398. Instagram: SarasotaInteriorPainting.

RENTALS

ANNA MARIA GULF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

PERICO ISLAND PATIO home for rent. 3BR/2BA, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/ gate, two miles to AMI. January, 2024 available. Call or text, 859-771-6423.

BEAUTIFULLY FURNISHED, ANNUAL rental in Beach Harbor Club, Longboat Key. 2BR/2BA with views of the bay, laundry and condo amenities include pool, grill, with both bay and beach access. $200 application required. $3,800 month plus first and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. Call Mike Norman Realty, 941-778-6696. 3101 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

ANNA MARIA 3BR/1BA historic cottage, half block to Gulf beach and one block to Pine Avenue shopping and restaurants. Available November, $3,400/month. 941-7788456. terryaposporos@gmail.com

BEACH LIFE! 55-PLUS PARK: 1BR/1BA. Beach just across the street! Furnished, pool, parking, six-month or annual rental. $1,499/month. Vetted by office. no pets. 831-212-2606.

2BR/2BA LONGBOAT KEY annual rental. Penthouse with jaw-dropping view of the bay. Completely upgraded and elegantly decorated. Fully equipped and all amenities are included. $5,500/month plus tax, first and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. Available now. 407-451-7179. Luznava@ bellsouth.net

WINTER SEASON RENTAL: Available December-May. 2BR/1.5BA elevated townhouse, sleeps four. Located in Holmes Beach, only two blocks to the beach. No pets. $5,000/month plus tax and fees. Call Anna Maria Realty, 941-778-2259. Dina@ annamariareal.com

LOVELY SECOND-FLOOR duplex for rent: 3BR/2BA partially furnished, can accommodate your needs. Washer/dryer. Five minutes to AMI, quiet, safe. Rent includes all utilities except electric. Annual $2,800/month. Will consider three-month, six-month. No smoking, Call Kelly, 941-301-9938.

BEAUTIFULLY REFURBISHED

1BR/1BA coastal vintage-style vacation rental less than three-minute walk to the beach. One week minimum. Available Aug. 16. Late summer/fall special rates. Available January, February, March 2024. 941-8071405 or carlesvacationrentals@gmail.com.

MONTHLY RENTALS: TURNKEY furnished. Wildwood Springs. Upgraded 2BR/2BA, 90-day minimum. $2,000/month. September-December. Deluxe Perico Bay villa, 2BR/2BA, one-car garage. November or December. $4,000/month, January 2024, $5,500. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

“Anna Maria Island,” a signed pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at The Islander office, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach, or by mail. Visit islander.org or call 941-778-7978. $20 plus postage, if mail order.

RENTALS Continued

ANNUAL: HOLMES BEACH elevated 2BR/2BA. Lanai, garage, nice quiet area. $2,200month. Call 970-331-1042 for rental application.

FURNISHED ANNUAL: $3,300/month: Rent includes internet, cable, power, water and electric. First and last month rent, $1,000 deposit. Historic 3BR/1BA Cortez Village home. Home features three bedrooms, one bath, a sleeping loft with balcony views, large living room, office space, kitchen and a wrap-around front porch. The main bathroom is located inside the master bedroom on the bottom floor and is shared with other guests. Parking is limited to three vehicles. 4507 123rd St. W., Cortez Road, FL, 34215. Mike Norman Realty 941-778-6696.

REAL ESTATE

WINNIE MCHALE, REALTOR, 941-5046146. Rosebay International Realty Inc. You need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come True.”

isl biz

Terminal traffic

Some 323,396 passengers traveled through the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in July.

In July 2022, SRQ reported 283,125 passengers.

The 12-month activity through July 2023 totals 4,185,188 passengers, a 12% increase over the 3,752,032 passengers for the 12 months through July 2022.

And, year-to-date, the airport experienced a 14% increase in passenger traffic over the same period in 2022.

“Last week we opened a new cellphone lot, which provides paved parking and upgraded restroom facilities,” Rick Piccolo, SRQ president and CEO, said in an Aug. 16 news release.

Also, a five-gate terminal expansion is in on track to be completed by the end of next year.

SRQ is at 6000 Airport Circle, Sarasota. For more information, go online to flysrq.com.

Gonna wanna go

The Freckled Fin Irish Pub is going “all in” for a fundraiser to help a friend with pancreatic cancer.

Matt Shannon is undergoing treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. With no insurance and not being able to work for more than two months, the debt

mounted.

In stepped the Fin, where younger brother Steven Shannon is the general manager.

The Fin is kicking off a fundraiser at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, offering an auction package for a private party at the pub that includes staffing, an open bar, food and live music.

Another private party up for grabs will be catered at a residence for up to 50 people.

Or bidders might want to compete for a two-hour conversation to solve the world’s problems over cocktails at the bar with Fin owner Rick Hurst.

There will be plenty of other auction items for bidding — with all proceeds for Shannon’s expenses.

While a first round of chemotherapy took a lot of fight out of Shannon, he’s regaining the strength to push forward.

Steve Shannon wrote in an email to The Islander: “He is a fighter. He never quits. He will beat this but needs all our help! Please, donate anything you can either monetarily or in the form of good vibes or prayers! He has never met an obstacle he could not climb over, and this is just that. Another obstacle to conquer.”

Matt Shannon is the oldest of four brothers. Many locals may know him as their neighborhood electrician, as he is a supervisor at Suncoast Electric.

Steve Shannon hopes Fin customers — old and new — show up to give his brother a lift in spirit.

“We thank everyone wholeheartedly for their help in any way possible.”

The Freckled Fin is at 5337 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the Fin at 941-2513930.

Island real estate sales

320 Hardin Ave., Anna Maria, a 1,540 sq ft 4BR/2BA pool home on a 8,102 sq ft lot built in 1983 sold 7/31/2023 by Scarland Trust to Endaup LLC for $1,900,000, list price $1,995,000.

108 Los Cedros Drive, Anna Maria, a 2,291 sq ft 4BR/4BA pool home on a 12,162 sq ft lot built in 1967 sold 7/27/2023 by Kreunen Inc. to Logan for $2,825,000, list price $2,975,000.

600 Manatee Ave., #202, Holmes Beach, a 888 sq ft 1BR/1BA Westbay Cove condo built in 1977 sold 8/16/2023 by Phillippart to Nelson Homes for $510,000, list price $549,000.

309 63rd St., #A, Holmes Beach, a 988 sq ft 2BR/2BA pool home on a 9,171 sq ft lot built in 1972 sold 7/21/2023 by Armbruster to Gallup for $875,000, list price $889,000.

5608 Gulf Drive, #215, Holmes Beach, a 1,092 sq ft 2BR/2BA Sun Plaza West condo built in 1981 sold 7/26/2023 by White Shell LLC to Ray for $1,200,000, list price $1,275,000.

105 36th St., Holmes Beach, a 2,279 sq ft 4BR/5BA pool home on a 13,299 sq ft lot built in 1998 sold 7/24/2023 by 105 36th St. LLC to Turtle Coast LLC for $4,925,000, list price $5,549,000.

Compiled by Island Real Estate staff. IRE can be reached at 941-778-6066, islandreal.com.

PropertyWatch By Carol Bernard

Matt Shannon and Jamie Perea share a moment.

Islander Courtesy

Photo

Chef/owner Christopher Dale welcomes Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce members and their guests Aug. 10 to a business luncheon at his restaurant, The Feast, in the Islander Shopping Center in Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Toni Lyon

Book for Bayfest

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is taking applications for sponsors and vendors at its annual island celebration — Bayfest, set for Saturday, Oct. 21, on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria.

Sponsorship opportunities remain but some have sold out.

Vendor opportunities also remain.

Application links can be found at annamariaislandchamber.org.

BizCal

By Lisa Neff

Thursday, Aug. 24

THIS WEEK

5-7 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce business-card exchange, Floridays Woodfire Grill and Bar, 12332 Manatee Ave. W., Perico Island. Reservations Required. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1541, ingrid@ amichamber.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Aug. 31, AMI Chamber of Commerce deadline for businessof-the-year nominations.

Sept. 7, AMI breakfast meeting, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., AMI Chamber of Commerce Bayfest, Anna Maria.

Visit

Mixing

Kelly Spring of Servpro of Bradenton and Andrew Vac of ReMax Alliance Group/Longboat

Key celebrate their businesses at a lunch mixer for members and guests of the AMI Chamber of Commerce Aug. 10 at The Feast restaurant in Holmes Beach. The next chamber mixer will be an after-business get-together at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at Floridays Woodfire Grill & Bar, Perico Island. Islander

MCoC reserving expo booths

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce is taking reservations for booth space and sponsorships at Expo 2023, set for 4-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9.

The event — “to showcase your business,” according to the chamber — will be at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton.

Plans include exhibitions, networking opportunities, door prizes, light bites served by member restaurants and a cash bar.

For more information, call the chamber at 941748-4842, ext. 172.

Business news

Does your business celebrate achievements? Maybe you’re new in business or your staff deserves kudos. Submit your information to news@islander.org.

Photo: Toni Lyon